The works of that late most excellent philosopher and astronomer, Sir George Wharton, bar. collected into one volume / by John Gadbvry ...

Teaching how Astrology may be restored; from Morinus, viz.

Johannes Baptista Morinus, Doctor in Physick, and Physician in Ordinary to the Duke of Luxem∣burgh, after his Epistles to the South and North Astrologers, for restoring of Astrology, Printed at Paris, Anno 1628. delivers these six following Articles, &c. as necessary for the Confirmation and Demonstration thereof, by Principles: which Articles, &c. I have faithfully Translated, and here inserted, in hope some Noble Spirits endued with Ability of Parts and Purse, may timely at∣tempt the Prosecution thereof.

1. FIrst, to Collect from the Histories of several Nations of the World, the most Eminent and Notable Changes that have therein happened, in re∣spect of Sects, Empires, Kingdoms, Wars, Famines, Deluges, &c. with the exact times of their Changes,

and the true postures of the Constellations and Planets preceding the same.

2. To observe the Changes of the Air, in respect of Heat, Cold, Moisture, and Drought; as also the Winds throughout the whole Latitude of the Earth: And then the different places of Longitude, in their Natures and Qualities, at the same and at several times, Erecting Coelestial Figures most congruous for that purpose; and to mark well how from thence, Plants, Brutes, and Men are affected, and all these Observations to compare one with another.

3. To erect the several Nativities of such as dyed not long after they were Born; of those that be Sickly, or any ways Hurt, Blind, Lame, Ulcerated, Wounded, Burnt, Mutilated, &c. diligently observing the Parts so affected; the which may most conveniently be done in a spacious City, (such as Paris is) where are many Hospitals, and Poor People innumerable, many Chi∣rurgeons, and every day various Casualties.

4. By help of the Physicians, to find out (if pos∣sible) the Beginnings, Species, Accidents, and Solu∣tions of all Acute and daily Diseases, that every where abound, Erecting Coelestial Schemes to those Begin∣nings: And that especially at Paris, where the exor∣bitant Practice of frequent Blood-letting, does much disturb Natures Motions and Crises in Diseases, and very often elude and frustrate the Astrological Pre∣dictions of the Ancients concerning them.

5. What the Ancient Astrologers have delivered on every Subject, the same to Collect and Observe in se∣veral, by diligent reading thereof, and to Correct the Figures of their Experiments, in respect of the Errors of the old Astronomy.

6. To Argue and Determine by Physical and Astro∣logical Reasons, concerning the System of the World,

now so much controverted, betwixt the Copernicans and Tychonists: For as much as in this thing (although both Mensurable and Visible) Geometry and the Sight are both defective: Neither can the quickest sighted Man living conclude any thing thence for certain, with what Telescope soever: Because the same Phaenomena are deduced from both the Systems. For, albeit the thing it self be sensible, yet does it elude and surpass the sense of Man: the truth whereof so much concerns Astrology, that Tycho and Kepler thought fit rather to destroy her, than that their own new Systems should not be established.

Afterwards, out of the confused sayings of An∣cient Astrologers, and the Observations of past and present things, with the proper and Corrected Schemes of Heaven, by accurate Speculation, and dividing rightly, to attain unto the first Causes of Effects, which are the first Principles of this Science, few in number both in this and other Sciences, yet so valid, that from thence (they being firmly established) the whole Science of Astrology, and her innumerable Conclusions, may easily be drawn to a Method. Whence I dare boldly affirm, that Astrology (which is partly a Physical, partly a Mathematical Science) may be more certainly and evidently demonstrated; yea, and in a more Excellent Method, than either Natural Phi∣losophy, or Physick have hitherto been, by any Man whatsoever.

Yet, seeing many times for the restoring of Astro∣nomy, and once in the Kalendar, many Men (Learned in these Arts) have met together at the Charge of Kings, Emperours, and of his Holyness the Pope, no Man (I suppose) will imagine, that one Man's Life or Labour can suffice for the above-mentioned work, it being so very great, so difficult and sublime, but

that every one of the Articles require several Persons proper thereunto, and to be encouraged with fair and liberal Allowances. All whose Labours, he who be∣ing endowed with Understanding and Wisdom, is made Praefect or Ruler of the Sixth Article, must re∣ceive and Govern, that thence he may know how to discharge his Duty.

But 'tis much to be fear'd, this Malignant, and [to Scholars] most Ingrateful Age (the so long wish'd for and present Opportunity being slighted) will ei∣ther defraud it self and Posterity of so great a Benefit, or else retard the same for some more Myriads of Hea∣venly Revolutions, or at least-wise scorn to see it now compleat and perfect: When verily this Science is more Divine than all other Natural Sciences; how∣beit, through the want of Demonstration, and Abuse, it hath hitherto undergone the Contempt and Hatred of Ignorant Men.

But let no Man think I enforce or attempt any thing against the most Holy Roman Church: For, I embrace not only the Ninth Rule of the Index of Books pro∣hibited by the Council of Trent, but also the Bull of Sixtus Quintus, against such as profess the vain and false Science of the Stars and Constellations, which I extreamly abhor, and endeavour with all my might utterly to extirpate.

Moreover, I deny not, but that the very true Sci∣ence of the Stars (which what sober Man will deny, if with a Mind elevated above the dregs of the Earth, and the Clouds of the Air, he fix his Eye upon those truly sublime, but yet Naturally known Powers of the Coelestial Bodies, and their manner of Operation?) may no less Lawfully be forbidden by the Church, in respect of the Abuse thereof, than the Reading of the Holy Scriptures, according to that of St. Matthew,

Cap. 18. If thy Hand or Foot offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee: It is good for thee, &c.

However, from those Excellent Principles of Astro∣logy (newly discovered) it may be Lawful (at least) to assure you, that I can so strongly assert the truth thereof, it shall abundantly appear to all Men, that as it is a Holy and Godly thing to inveigh against all Diabolical Practisers, Vain, Ignorant, and Supersti∣tious Astrologers, and to deter Men from all vain and sinful Curiosity; so, to rage and rave against the Sub∣stance of this true Science, whether in Pamphlets or Pulpits, is, in an Ignorant Man unjust and rash, in a knowing Man very Malicious; and that indeed it were far better for Men (even in order to their Sal∣vation) that the Truth and true Use of this Science might be known, than the Falsity, Ignorance, and Abuse thereof should any longer continue, and GOD be defrauded of that Glory, which is by right due to him for his Creating the Heavens.

Neither let it trouble any Man, that I pronounce Sixtus ab Heminga, (whom the Enemies of Judiciary Astrology so much Glory in) to be a very Ignorant Fellow: When I can easily make it appear by Expe∣riments and solid Reason too, that both Cardan, and Ptolemy himself, being too much addicted to Univer∣sal Causes, (not well weighing particular) did lead Posterity into no finall Errors: But if the Blind lead the Blind, what Wonder is it, if they both fall into the Ditch? In the mean time I must Humbly intreat those Rare and Renowned Masters of this Science, if they have gotten or observed any thing in it that is Excellent, they would vouchsafe ingeniously to im∣part it to me.

Thus far Morinus, and enough (I suppose) to sa∣tisfie any Reasonable Man, that Astrology is demon∣strable;

and not only Lawful and True, but Divinely Excellent, and necessary for a Christian: And that none but the Ignorant and Malicious will condemn or oppose the same.

Cardan. Seg. 1. Aphor. 25.

Difficile est Judicare, per ea quae scripta sunt; longè difficilius artem ipsam tradere: Difficillimum autem ar∣tem ipsam invenire.